Paul Clarke was elected as Chairman of the Coastal Business Improvement District (BID) at the Board meeting in January.
Paul, who is also General Manager at the Hallmark Hotel, succeeds Des Simmons. Des stood down following a very active 2½ years as Chairman of the Coastal BID preceded by 2 years as Chair of the Steering Group which worked on the consultation and ballot, pivotal in getting the BID up and running and voted through in April 2012.
Paul Clarke said, “I am delighted to be taking over as Chair of the BID at this stage and I am looking forward to the next 3-4 years. The BID has gained great momentum and I will be ensuring that this continues. Although an hotelier by background, I am especially looking forward to working with and learning more about the retail businesses as we look towards the next stage of the BID’s development.
This new appointment is part of a carefully thought through long term succession plan in the Coastal BID team. The next major change will come about at the end of June 2015 when the current Coastal BID Manager, Alun Williams, retires. The timing of his retirement has been made to ensure that there will be a 6 month handover period with the new Chairman. The post is currently being advertised to potential applicants.
Alun said, ”The Board are looking for someone with a diverse range of skills; somebody who might have a background in town centre management or working for a BID or in marketing. They will need to be able to think strategically and tactically and to work with a wide variety of local organisations, businesses and indiviuals.”
Alun advised, “We would urge anyone interested in applying for the role of Coastal BID Manager to email [email protected] to request an application form and job specification.”
Paul Clarke concluded, “The Coastal BID Board would like to thank Des for his amazing contribution to the Coastal BID over the last few years. He has had a lasting and positive impact. He has taken the BID from the seed of an idea to a fully functioning dynamic organisation that is having a real impact in the coastal business communities in Bournemouth.”
Kate Shaw
